Crisis and Resilience Fund: Guidance for local authorities in England (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029)

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For example, boroughs have been able to identify trends on

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Authorities should engage with DWP to support the delivery of a DWP-led national evaluation of the CRF, including obtaining informed consent from individuals in receipt of CRF support when needed. Since 2024, Greenwich Council and Newham Council have partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to test new ways of collecting and using data for their local crisis schemes and advice services to support more informed decision-making and ensure schemes meet local need. Boroughs adopted a set of standard data measures through the ‘Local Welfare and Support Framework’ - a theory informed data collection methodology. The framework provides a consistent approach to data collection that can be integrated into existing case management and data systems. This goes beyond basic monitoring, by offering clear, pre-defined measures that are practical for boroughs to implement to track key data to understand who is being supported, what support they receive and what outcomes are achieved. the percentage of: respondents who have experienced an improvement in

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Where an impact that would be detrimental to people with protected characteristics is identified, Authorities should consider appropriate mitigation measures. Authorities must make sure that their CRF schemes are clearly advertised, inclusive and accessible. Authorities must use the terms ‘Crisis Payment’ and ‘Housing Payment’ for naming of their Crisis and Resilience Fund schemes. Crisis and Housing Payments must reference they are funded by the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Resilience Services should reference they are funded by the Crisis and Resilience Fund, where possible.

Working with other organisations

It is mandatory for Authorities to make public their plans for The Fund. This should include a website page and a non-digital offer dedicated to The Fund. be titled the ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’ and, for the website page, be found on the Authority’s main website. The web address must be shared with DWP to link from their CRF GOV.UK page. be easily accessible with listed alternative formats (such as, Braille, EasyRead and large print) be easily accessible with listed alternative formats (such as, Braille, EasyRead and large print) outline the Authority’s plans for the funding, including details of who is eligible in the area outline the Authority’s plans for the funding, including details of who is eligible in the area detail how people can apply for a Crisis Payment and the Housing Payment detail how people can apply for a Crisis Payment and the Housing Payment include a specific reference that the grant is funded by the UK Government in accordance with the Funded by UK Government Branding Manual include a specific reference that the grant is funded by the UK Government in accordance with the Funded by UK Government Branding Manual Authorities are required to use CRF branding for their respective schemes, utilising brand assets provided by DWP.

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Authorities are responsible for printing and distributing physical materials as needed. While branding is centrally managed by DWP, Authorities may exercise discretion in how they present the Fund locally, provided they adhere to the core identity and messaging. It is mandatory for Authorities to reference that the grant is funded by the UK Government in any publicity material, including online channels and media releases. This includes use of the relevant branding materials in accordance with the Funded by UK Government Branding Manual (PDF) provided to all Authorities. This requirement extends to other public bodies delivering the scheme on behalf of the Authority and the Authority is responsible for ensuring that this is met. wellbeing respondents who have experienced

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an improvement in wellbeing respondents

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Authorities should consider inclusive and accessible ways in which they might advertise the availability of The Fund to local people through outreach activities and promotional materials, for example in local family or community hubs and GP surgeries. We expect Authorities to advertise the scheme through various channels and not just online. Authorities are expected to work collaboratively within Authorities structures (in other words, different levels of local government) and organisations to meet the objectives of The Fund. This includes working closely with voluntary and community sector organisations and other partner organisations such as community groups who may come into contact with people in need. Organisations that Authorities should consider collaboration with may include but are not limited to: registered charities, voluntary organisations and community groups registered charities, voluntary organisations and community groups local Job Centres and other DWP provisions local Job Centres and other DWP provisions Where Authorities are working with voluntary and community sector organisations, this should be done on an objectively fair, transparent and non-discriminatory basis whilst having regard to the time available to deliver The Fund.

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Authorities are strongly encouraged to collaborate closely with different parts of the Authority structure to ensure roles, responsibilities and effective arrangements are put in place to deliver The Fund promptly and efficiently. Authorities without mechanisms in place to administer CRF should consider whether another Authority tier is better placed to administer CRF on their behalf. Authorities are also encouraged to cas new casino sites uk deposit bonus ask neighbouring Authorities to work together to help prevent double provision and or no provision. DWP will continue to respond to questions we receive through the designated inbox as quickly as possible. DWP will also continue to engage with Authorities throughout the course of The Fund Period and will provide opportunities to engage with the department and other Authorities to share local innovations, good practice and work collaboratively.

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DWP may host Ministerial engagement roundtable events as required. Where Authorities are invited to these events, an appropriate representative will be expected to attend. Authorities must comply with DWP’s reporting and MI requirements. This includes submitting an annual delivery plan and providing MI returns on a six-monthly basis. Full details, including templates and deadlines, are set out in The Crisis and Resilience Fund (April 2026 to March 2029) MI Reporting Requirements. in temporary housing who have moved into more secure accommodation

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respondents in temporary housing who have moved into more secure

accommodation Through adopting the common framework, the boroughs have been

Objectives and key principles

Any award made in respect of FYE March 2026 should be recorded as a DHP. Authorities are expected to follow existing DHP reporting requirements for expenditure incurred in the FYE March 2026. Any expenditure incurred from 1 April 2026, should be reported as per the Crisis and Resilience Fund Reporting Requirements 2026 to 2029. The Crisis and Resilience Fund Reporting Requirements are designed to: build a robust evidence base to demonstrate impact and support future funding decisions build a robust evidence base to demonstrate impact and support future funding decisions ensure compliance and consistency across all Authorities ensure compliance and consistency across all Authorities enable continuous improvement, using and sharing insights between Authorities and DWP enable continuous improvement, using and sharing insights between Authorities and DWP The reporting framework focuses on indicators that help Authorities refine scheme design to meet local needs, while keeping reporting streamlined and proportionate to minimise administrative burden. DWP will also look to identify good practice and identify case studies that can be shared with DWP and other Authorities.

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Authorities are required to complete a delivery plan for the Fund Period to outline their intentions for The Fund, clearly setting out their approach for use of the Fund, and to demonstrate the ways in which they intend to allocate their funding to achieve progress in the expected outcomes in each CRF strand. County Council and Unitary Authorities are required to send the initial delivery plan to DWP by 1 July 2026 with an annual update informing of any changes to the delivery plan. Authorities are expected to work collaboratively between their Authority Tiers (where applicable) in producing their delivery plan. Further details on Reporting Requirements, including responsibilities within two-tier Authorities, are set out in the Crisis and Resilience Fund Reporting Requirements 2026 to 2029. DWP will contact Authorities to provide support and gather information throughout The Fund.

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DWP will contact Authorities for initial compliance and where further clarification is needed in respect of the information provided on the MI reporting template as detailed in the Crisis and Resilience Fund Reporting Requirements 2026 to 2029. Where Authorities work with voluntary and community sector organisations, it is the responsibility of Authorities to collect MI and complete one collated MI return and submit to DWP. Authorities are required to appoint an appropriate Senior Responsible Officer who will be accountable for ensuring a strong delivery plan is developed and agreed through necessary decision-making mechanisms, including engagement with the relevant Cabinet Member and ensuring compliance with and progress against their commitments in the delivery plan. Delivery plans and MI returns must be signed off by, and include the contact information of, the Authority’s Section 151 Officer/CFO in accordance with their statutory assurance responsibility. The guidance for completion is provided within the Crisis and Resilience Fund (April 2026 to March 2029) MI Reporting Requirements document. able to better monitor their discretionary support schemes, producing a clearer picture of how they are working and the outcomes delivered.

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